Strong authentication, also known as two-factor authentication, tries to improve security by bringing in a third method of user identification, in addition to the typical username and password, according to Kevin Simzer, Senior Vice President at Entrust.

Entrust's strong authentication technology requires a user to enter grid coordinates listed on the back of a card that's carried on the person.

As identities are federated more often across organizational boundaries, having reliable means of authentication becomes more critical.

"With strong authentication we have greater confidence that the user is who they say they are," Simzer said.